They glared at me, but hesitated. They all knew I was Cobalt’s mate. Even if they didn’t want me present, they couldn’t do shit about it.
“Exactly what we thought would happen,” one of the bullies muttered before the group dispersed.
Alaric sauntered up to us. “What happened?” he asked.
The uncomfortable atmosphere went back to normal, and the hairs on the back of my neck fell back down. “I dunno. What’d they say to you, Poppy?”
He stared at the ground. “They said... I’d better stay away from you during the challenge.”
“What? Why?”
Poppy bit his lip. “They know we’re friends. They said I’d use that as an unfair advantage to win. Like you’d give me tips on where the treasure is.”
Alaric tilted his head at me. “Doyou know?”
I scoffed. “No way! I didn’t even know what the challenge was about ‘til I got here.”
“I said that, but nobody believed me,” Poppy murmured.
I hugged him harder. “It’s okay, Pops. Just ignore them.”
“I agree,” Alaric said. “Money makes people do stupid things. A large amount of money—like one million dollars—makes people do even stupider things.”
Poppy smiled weakly. “Yeah. I’ll try. Thanks, you two.”
“What’s going on here?”
My heart leapt at Cobalt’s voice. I instantly felt safer and calmer knowing he was here.
“Everything’s okay now, I think,” I said. “Some guys were bugging Poppy.”
Cobalt frowned. Without another word, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small notepad and pen.
“Write down their names,” Cobalt said quietly. “They won’t be winning any prize money.”
Alaric grinned. “Oh, my. He’s scarier than I thought.”
“Hey, back off, kitty cat. I already marked my territory,” I teased.
But Poppy shook his head. “Please, it’s okay. I-I don’t want to hurt anyone’s chances of winning money.”
Cobalt slowly leaned down to Poppy’s eye level and put a friendly hand on his shoulder. Poppy always seemed a bit nervous around alphas, but he didn’t flinch away from Cobalt’s gentle touch. Maybe it was because he was my mate, but Poppy seemed to understand Cobalt’s intentions were good.
“It’s my money, so I choose who does or doesn’t receive it,” Cobalt said. “And nobody who hurts or harasses you deserves the prize.”
Poppy looked comforted by his words. “Okay...”
My heart swelled with affection for my mate. I loved that he was kind to my friends.
“Gaius looks ready to start,” Cobalt remarked. “I’ll be waiting. Coming, Muzo?”
“Yup.” I hugged Poppy one last time. “Go get ‘em, Pops. You too, Alaric.”
Alaric shrugged at Poppy. “Sorry, wolf, but I intend to win. You’re on your own for this one.”
Poppy nodded in determination. “I-I’m gonna try to win, too.”
I resumed my spot next to Cobalt as Gaius relayed the rules.
